Big Walk skipped Xbox to boycott Microsoft’s involvement with Israel
The developers of the game Big Walk have excluded Xbox from their release platform list to protest Microsoft's business ties with the Israeli government. The studio cites the BDS movement as the motivation for this decision, though the game remains available on Windows via Steam.
Why it matters
This highlights the growing trend of indie developers using their platforms to engage in political activism and the complexities of corporate boycotts in the gaming industry.
Big Walk’s co-op multiplayer walking adventure has proved popular since launching in August, but Xbox players have been excluded from the fun — and now the game’s creators have explained why. Developer House House said in a blog post that it decided not to release Big Walk on Xbox consoles in accordance with the Palestinian-led BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement, which has called to boycott Microsoft, including products under the company’s gaming division.
Microsoft was named a priority BDS target in June last year over contracts it has with the Israeli military and government, with the boycott specifically calling out Xbox consoles and Game Pass subscriptions, gaming franchises owned by Microsoft, and any gaming accessories produced by the company. Microsoft’s involvement with Israel has also been protested by its own employees, and the company has fired staffers for participating in pro-Palestine demonstrations.
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